2Place raisins in a cup; pour in hot water to cover, and set aside to soak, about 5 minutes.
3Place 1 1/2 cups flour in a large bowl; cut in 1/2 cup butter until crumbly. Stir 1/4 cup brown sugar into flour mixture; press mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x9-inch pan.
4Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven, leaving oven on.
5Beat 1 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup butter together until smooth; stir in egg, vanilla extract, and cream. Strain raisins; stir raisins and 1 tablespoon flour into butter mixture. Pour raisin mixture over crust.
6Bake in the preheated oven until filling is bubbly, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares, about 30 minutes.
Footnotes
Cook's Note:
You can omit raisins and use pecans instead for pecan squares.
For less gooey squares, bake for up to 10 minutes more.